Question

Afferent projections from the ventral posterior nucleus of the thalamus synapse into which layer in the postcentral gyrus? 2 3 4 or 5

In a Parkinson’s patient, which of the following strategies would NOT be a suitable approach to improve the initiation of motor commands?

1. Administration of a D1 receptor agonist.
2. Deep brain stimulation of the D1-expressing MSNs.
3. Administration of L-dopa
4. Inactivation of the indirect pathway.
5. Activation of AMPARs in the globus pallidus internal segment.

Raul engineers a new D1 dopamine receptor agonist in hopes of a better treatment for Parkinson’s Disease. Which of the following regions would be the best target injection site for alleviating some Parkinson’s symptoms?

Frontal cortex

Cerebellum

Thalamus

Caudate/putamen

Answer 1

1.3

Projections of ascending neurons of the dorsal horn end in the ventral posterior nuclei of the thalamus specifically at ventral posterior lateral nucleus. This part receives input from neurons in lamina I and V and projects to the primary somatosensory cortex.

2. Activation of AMPARs in the globus pallidus internal segment.

Activation of AMPARs/kainate receptors and NMDARs results in excitotoxic neuronal death due to GluR-mediated Ca2+ inflow.

3. Thalamus

Subthalamic nucleus found in thalamus is the best target.